Online registrations pouring in for HHH

Hotter‘N Hell bike race organizers have seen an uptick in registrations for this year’s event.

TRN File Photo

As Hotter’N Hell Hundred hit a new record for total number of online registrations early Monday, any cyclists who have not already booked accommodations for the event will probably have a hard time finding any, according to ride organizers and Wichita Falls hospitality agencies.

HHH executive director Chip Filer said registration was 38.6 percent ahead of previous years with 8,772 people who had registered online as of Monday afternoon. Last year, 6,326 people registered online.

The online and fax registration closed at 12:30 a.m. Monday. Any cyclists who still need to register will have to do so in person at the Multi-Purpose Event Center from 4-8 p.m. Thursday, 2-10 p.m. Friday and 5:30 -7 a.m. Saturday, the day of the Ride, Filer said.

“Just as I said last week, I still don’t know what the cause (of the increase) is,” Filer said.

But even if it turns out that the final number of riders is up 38 percent Saturday morning, the HHH Steering Committee and volunteers will definitely be ready and able to accommodate everyone, he said.

Pene Bridges, director of the Wichita Falls Convention and Visitors Bureau, said because two hotels closed in Wichita Falls over the past year and one re-opened, cyclists pretty much have the same number of hotel rooms to choose from this year.

“Chip (Filer) can handle 14,000 (or more) registrants, but we’re just limited by the number of hotels,” Bridges said.

Even though the total number of rooms is about the same as last year, repeat cyclists have probably noticed some changes over the past few years, Bridges said.

“Since five years ago, we have a much better quality of hotel to offer our visitors. The hotels are renovating and staying updated, which is always nice. It gives visitors a better overall feel for our city,” she said.

Renovations at the American Inn on Broad, formerly called the Trade Winds, were completed this year, Bridges said.

Two other hotels that had planned on being open by HHH were not able to — one new hotel, the Courtyard by Marriott, and another hotel that is being renovated, the Quality Inn.

“We hated that the Courtyard by Marriott didn’t open by HHH. They plan to be open by the end of September. It will be a really nice hotel and will showcase the city,” Bridges said.

Wes Scott, desk clerk at the recently renovated Executive Inn Suites at 1750 Maurine Street, said the Quality Inn will have 100 or more rooms, when the renovation is complete. Ken Delma owns both the Executive Inn Suites and the Quality Inn, Scott said.

“We’ve been working on it two months. We’ve done everything we can, but we just were not able to get it open in time for the Hotter’N Hell Hundred,” Scott said.

Bridges said she estimates the city has 2,000 hotel rooms, and most of those rooms have been booked by this week for HHH weekend. Scott said they booked the 66 rooms of the newly renovated Executive Inn Suites within three days.

“We do have people who open up their homes, thank goodness,” said Bridges, who was referring to a program called the HHH Host Homes.

HHH Host Homes coordinator Marie Libby, who is also an information specialist for the Wichita Falls Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has had 55 people volunteer their homes or other facilities for cyclists to stay in, and 33 of those had been filled as of Monday afternoon.

Libby said two of the 17 homes or facilities that have not been matched with riders yet offer dorm-style rooms and showers — Camp Chaparral in Iowa Park, and Katie’s Kids Kamp in Byers, which can accommodate 30 people in one room.

“The majority of the riders come in Friday, get a good night’s sleep, come back to the house to clean and pack up and then leave after the ride Saturday,” she said.

Libby said she is still looking for host homes. To open their homes or facilities to out-of-town cyclists, people can call her at the chamber at 940-723-2741. Cyclists who are still looking for a place to stay can also call that same number.

Libby said 99 percent of the families and cyclists say they have had a great experience.

“I think most people have had a pretty positive experience. The riders are just grateful to have somewhere to stay out of the elements and to not have to drive three hours and then ride five hours or more,” she said.

Bridges said another valuable resource to Wichita Falls visitors is the Texas Travel Information Center at 900 Central Freeway.

“We are state employees who assist people who are traveling to and through Texas,” said Lisa Morgan, the center’s supervisor.

The center is open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. seven days a week and from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. on Labor and Memorial days, she said.

“We just try to maintain that listing of availability (on hotels) so they can have choices of where to stay,” she said.

Morgan said the center also has lots of brochures for attractions across the state including places in Wichita Falls.

“If cyclists bring husbands or wives who are not riding, we try to keep them busy while they are here. We have lots of attractions in the city. We not only promote the state but the city as well,” she said.

In addition to hotels, Bridges said the area around the river, MPEC and J.S. Bridwell Ag Center offer RV and tent camping.

“Our RV camping has never sold out (during HHH.) But this might be the year we sell out, I don’t know,” Bridges said.

For more information on hotels in Wichita Falls and surrounding towns as well as other available accommodations, visit the HHH Web site at www.hh100.org and click on the hotels and motels link.